SHREK THE MUSICAL, with music by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change) and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Wonder of the World), is now available for licensing for performances beginning in June 2013. This irreverently funny musical is based on the 1990 William Steig Picture book and the Oscar®winning DreamWorks film starring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz.
In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre — not a handsome prince — shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand…and his name is Shrek.
Full of all-new songs, great dancing and breathtaking scenery, SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!
Though the name “Shrek” is derived from the German and Yiddish word “Schreck”/”Shreck”, literally meaning “Fear” or “Terror,” the story of Shrek actually tells a heartwarming story of love despite adversity.
A Hit with Audiences and Critics Alike
SHREK THE MUSICAL is a family-friendly show that has plenty of wit and a sophisticated score to please even the most discerning musical theater fan. The show had a successful 12 month-run on Broadway with 441 performances and 37 previews. SHREK is currently on a U.S. Tour, playing London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and preparing for several additional international productions.
| Highlights of Major Awards Won |
| Drama Desk Award - Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Brian d’Arcy James) |
| Drama Desk Award - Outstanding Costume Design (Tim Hatley) |
| Drama Desk Award - Outstanding Set Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) |
| Outer Critics Circle Award - Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Brian d’Arcy James) |
| Outer Critics Circle Award - Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Sutton Foster) |
| Outer Critics Circle Award - Outstanding Costume Design (Tim Hatley) |
| Outer Critics Circle Award - Outstanding Set Design (Tim Hatley) |
| Tony Award - Costume Design of a Musical (Tim Hatley) |
Jeanine Tesori’s fabulous score is filled with insider musical references to Wicked, Dreamgirls, LES MISERABLES, Gypsy, RENT, and many more, while David Lindsay-Abaire’s book maintains the spirit of the film and also adds some precious new one-liners destined to become pop-cultural touchstones.
SHREK is the sort of musical that will stick in your head and have your audiences humming the tunes on their way out the door.
An Ogre on Your High School’s Stage
Despite the comedic nature of the musical starring the ugly green ogre, SHREK THE MUSICAL is the perfect musical for high school students because it tells everyone’s story. From love to defiance, conflict to prejudice it is a celebration of being different and embracing that difference as a community. In the second act group number, “Freak Flag,” Gingy sings “It’s time to stop the hiding. It’s time to stand up tall. Sing hey world, I’m different, and here I am splinters and all! Let your freak flag high!” It is that mentality that will bring your cast together to tell an honest story to your audiences.
Synopsis
After being sent away by his parents to live a life contentedly alone in a swamp, Shrek’s solitude is disrupted by the arrival of all of the fairy-tale creatures that have been exiled from the land. In an effort to get his swamp back to himself, Shrek sets out on a trip to Duloc to see Farquaad and regain his privacy. Along the way, he reluctantly rescues the talkative Donkey who insists on tagging along.
After arriving at Duloc he meets the big personality of short statured Farquaad. He demands that Shrek rescue Princess Fiona and bring her to him in return for the deed to Shrek’s swamp. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue the feisty princess. As they venture back to Duloc we discover a secret that Fiona keeps hidden from the world. Her curse requires a kiss from her true love to reverse its effects. It is this secret that could bring her and Shrek together but when misconstrued by Shrek it only drives him further away from Fiona.
After returning Fiona to Farquaad, Shrek finds out the truth about Fiona from Donkey. In a race against the clock they both return to Duloc to save Fiona from Farquaad, break the curse and live ever after. The show ends with a celebration of the differences that makes each person special (“This is Our Story”).
Licensing
Call us (212-541-4684) or visit us online (www.MTIshows.com) today to license the show for your school or theatre today! We are always available to answer questions and assist you along your way to producing your next show!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
We would like to get the liscense to do shrek by november ,2012. Is that possible?
Thanks
Jeanie
Licenses for Shrek are currently available, but they are only for shows that have performances starting as early as June 2013.
We are interested in doing the show in May-July 2013. Would it still be possible to purchase the license?
Please contact your licensing representative at (212) 541-4684 or email licensing@mtishows.com.
We are very interested in doing this musical next year at Dunbarton High School in Pickering, Ontario. How do we go about reserving this at this time….do you need a deposit this soon or can I send the deposit in June of this coming year….I don’t want to lose the opportunity….
Thanks, Vivienne Joyce
Vivienne,
Please give us a call at (212) 541-4684 or email richards@Mtishows.com to discuss international licensing of this production. We would love to help you license the show and don’t want you to lose the opportunity either.
Will there be any performance resources like the OrchExtra or customing?? I know I would love to do this show but we havea small, inexperienced band and the costumes could be an issue as well.
We have obtained the rights to due Shrek in July of 2013 and we are really excited to have the opportunity. Can other theaters in the area get the rights to do it around the same time? We thought there were restrictions on that. We just heard a theater that is only 40 miles away and draws some of the same acting talent and lots of the same audience members will be doing it just a few weeks before us.